Glenallen Hill will skipper the Colorado Springs Sky Sox in 2013. (Chris Coduto, special to The Denver Post)

The changes that swept Coors Field last season were not limited to the big leagues. Following the promotion of Bill Geivett to director of major league operations, the Rockies have added development supervisors for each minor league team.

This person will have oversight over the team, helping to create continuity throughout the farm system. The supervisors, mirroring Geivett’s role, will travel with their respective minor-league clubs.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A few weeks after losing his spot as the Rockies’ first-base coach, Glenallen Hill has been named manager at Triple-A Colorado Springs. He replaces Stu Cole, who was promoted to third-base coach on Walt Weiss’ staff.

Hill will be joined in Triple-A by longtime hitting coach Dave Hajek. The Rockies are in the process of shifting roles and responsibilities in their minor-league system. They will have a director of operations for every team similar to Bill Geivett’s position with the big-league club.

In other coaching news: Doug Linton and Bob Apodaca will serve as minor-league pitching coordinators, working with Mark Wiley. Apodaca, the Rockies former longtime pitching coach, will instruct pitchers at the lower levels of the minor leagues. No Double-A manager has been named, but Duane Espy will remain involved with the Tulsa club, likely in the director of operations role. Mark Strittmatter returns to the Rockies as their roving minor-league catching instructor. Jimmy Johnson has been let go as the roving hitting coach.

TEMPE, Ariz. — There was rust, but there wasn’t any pain. So chalk it up as a good day for Rockies lefty Drew Pomeranz.

Pitching in a game for the first time in eight days, Pomeranz gave up three runs on six hits, walked two and struck out two in four innings against the Angeles’ Triple-A squad this afternoon at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

SCOTTSDALE — The Rockies’ rotation will begin its American Idol-type auditions this week, attempting to narrow the candidates.

Close your eyes at the end of spring training and you can practically see pitching coach Bob Apodaca telling the top five, “You’re going to Houston.”

Five weeks from opening day, the competition begins in earnest, starting with Friday’s 6-to-8 inning intrasquad game. Juan Nicasio continues his remarkable recovery by pitching in Sunday’s intrasquad game. His first official game since breaking his neck on Aug. 5 will be Friday against Oakland at Salt River Fields. The schedule:

Ubaldo Jimenez fields a ground ball against the Diamondbacks this week.

LOS ANGELES — The Rockies are arguably baseball’s most disappointing team. As such, it should come as no surprise that they remain in the middle of trade rumors, namely involving ace Ubaldo Jimenez.

The Yankees and Reds have been the most active suitors with the Tigers and Red Sox on the fringe. The Rangers have been focusing on a bat and relief help, and are not considered a candidate at this point for Jimenez.

A baseball executive who has spoken recently with the Rockies about Jimenez told me today “My gut is that they don’t move him.”

LOS ANGELES — One run on 14 hits? Now the Rockies are pulling off missions virtually impossible.

“I don’t know how many games I’ve managed where we’ve had 14 hits and scored one run, but I’ve seen some different things already through the course of 53 games,’’ said Rockies manager Jim Tracy. “That big hit just continually seems to elude us right now. We just have to keep fighting our way through it.

“It’s painful and it gets more painful by the day. I don’t see how this can continue, I really don’t.’’

Tonight’s 7-1 loss to the Dodgers may have established the Rockies’ high-water mark for frustration. They collected 14 hits, but walked away with one run. Stuff happens when you hit into three double plays, have a runner (Carlos Gonzalez) thrown out at home plate, and get one hit in 12 at-bats with runners in scoring position.

It’s not physical. That’s the Rockies’ story when it comes to Ubaldo Jimenez, and they’re sticking to it.

“When a lot of questions come up or there’s a thought that there’s something physical … I continue to be adamant with you guys (reporters) that it’s not a physical thing,’’ said Rockies manager Jim Tracy. “I really firmly believe that. I’m sitting here telling you the same thing. It’s more of a mechanical thing.’’

Ubaldo Jimenez celebrates after his no-hitter against the Atlanta Braves on April 17, 2010, at Turner Field in Atlanta. The Rockies won 4-0.

ATLANTA — Bleary-eyed and smiling, Ubaldo Jimenez arrived in the clubhouse this morning. The reality of what he accomplished is beginning to set in. He talked to his dad again this morning, reveling in the details. He went for his six-mile run at 6:30 this morning.

“The alarm came early. I was tired,’’ said Jimenez, who picked up the idea of day-after runs from watching Pedro Martinez and Trevor Hoffman, among others. “It was great to talk to my dad. He was so happy going over the game with me.’’

Other fun facts:

— The Hall of Fame will get something from the night. Jimenez already turned over his entire uniform, including his cleats. “But I am keeping my glove. They aren’t getting that,” Jimenez said.

— Last night, Jorge De La Rosa, Manuel Corpas, Miguel Olivo and Rafael Betancourt took him out to dinner at the grill next to the team hotel. Betancourt paid.

— During the game, Jimenez kept trying to talk to teammates, including De La Rosa. De La Rosa didn’t want to jinx it, so he said little. His contribution? During the middle of the game, he fetched a Red Bull and an ammonia capsule for Jimenez.

— After the game, Jimenez toasted his feat with several teammates. Nothing like champagne from a paper cup.

— As the last two outs were made, Jason Giambi and Melvin Mora were in the tunnel leading to the dugout going nuts. Giambi kept punching Mora in excitement.

— Dexter Fowler’s grandparents were at the game together watching him in the pros for the first time.

— Carlos Gonzalez knew he had no chance on Troy Glaus’ seventh-inning shot. “It was either Dexter or nothing,’’ Gonzalez said.

TUCSON — Huston Street’s missing name from the upcoming pitching probables wasn’t the only new wrinkle. Tim Redding is listed as coming in late in the Friday, creating the possibility that he might be viewed as reliever at this point. He’s done both in his career. Redding could help round out the bullpen while the Rockies wait for the Street’s healthy return.

Top closing candidates include Rafael Betancourt, if his right shoulder responds over the next few weeks, Franklin Morales and Matt Belisle and possibly Manuel Corpas. This could be the prodding that Corpas needs to step up. Pitching coach Bob Apodaca indicated last week that the Rockies would likely mix-and-match if Street wasn’t ready. That’s all but a reality at this point. Morales closed in Street’s absence last September and is really starting to find his groove again this spring.

Here are the pitching probables and today’s lineup which could very well be the one you see on opening day in Milwaukee:
Indians
CF Michael Brantley
2B Luis Valbuena
3B Andy Marte
1B Shelley Duncan
C Wyatt Toregas
RF Chris Gimenez
SS Carlos Rivera
LF Matthew McBride
RHP Carlos Carrasco

TUCSON — Huston Street’s path to the opening day roster became clearer today. He threw live BP — 20 pitches — and is on track to pitch in a game late next week. Rafael Betancourt also threw a bullpen session, but pitching coach Bob Apodaca acknowledged that he’s two weeks behind Street. That means he won’t pitch in a game next week and is racing against the clock to be ready April 5.

I wouldn’t be shocked if he starts the year on the DL, it’s back-dated, and he comes off that first weekend. Matt Belisle (forearm stiffness) is also moving forward and will pitch Sunday.

TUCSON — I’ve thought for the last five years or so that Todd Helton would make a great coach. Why he’d ever want to do it, I don’t know. He has earned enough money to retire peacefully. But Helton knows the game and has taken more and more interest in the teaching part in recent seasons. This spring is no different. He will be standing by the cage with hitting instructor Don Baylor talking over techniques. He will offer advice here and there.

Today, he is coaching. Sort of. With much of the staff in Glendale for the game against the Dodgers, Helton was partly in charge of the workout at Hi Corbett Field. His sense of humor was on full display. He walked behind the mound and offered tips to Huston Street during his bullpen. And he gave flawed advice to Franklin Morales. He showed the form on how to wreck an elbow by throwing across the body. He was joking of course. Not sure Morales knew what the heck he was saying. But it was pretty funny.

Helton told pitching coach Bob Apodaca that Brett Favre threw like that. Dac told him to stick with Peyton Manning.
During infield, Troy Tulowitzki wandered over to first and traded barbs with Helton. Basically telling Helton that he had a chance to be pretty good if he kept working hard. Brad Hawpe, taking groundballs at first, was laughing most of the time.

Prior to BP, Helton was sharing stories with Jason Giambi. The favorite today was how Dante Bichette once hit a one-handed home run out of Hi Corbett Field. Vinny Castilla was called over to authenticate it. I was there when Helton played his first game at Coors Field. I was there for nearly every significant moment of his career. He used to burn so intensely that it was almost unhealthy.

It’s spring training, so it’s different. But, it’s cool to see him age gracefully, to have fun and give back, showing a side of his personality that was rarely on display for the first decade of his career.

TUCSON — One of the charms of spring training is the intimacy. While the Rockies travel to Glendale to play the Dodgers, I am in Tucson on injury detail. I sat in the right field stands three feet way watching Huston Street throw a bullpen session. (I got mud from his cleats on my sweatshirt, that’s how close I was). Street worked on his posture, staying tall in his delivery. Street believes that he will be ready for the season, saying he needs only around 7-10 innings. Pitching coach Bob Apodaca had set a goal of 15 innings each for Street and Rafael Betancourt, which they aren’t going to reach.

“I am hopeful. But they can’t be kind of ready. They have to be ready,” pitching coach Bob Apodaca.”We have to have a plan B and a plan C just in case.”

Street repeated that he felt great as he threw his bullpen session, despite dealing with mud on the mound. Watching him today, I can see him being ready barring any setbacks. He threw 15 pitches, and was pleased with the sink on his fastball and the movement on his changeup. His shoulder has no inflammation. The other thing is that he typically worked only 10 innings in spring before he joined the Rockies. So a light work load is nothing new in March.

Betancourt played catch today. When he was done, he smiled. That has been a rare sighting the last few weeks as he has dealt with shoulder tightness. The clock is working against him because he’s behind Street. Street, based on today, is in position to be ready. Again, it’s early. But what I just watched was very encouraging.

Footnotes
Reliever Matt Belilse (forearm stiffness) played catch. He compared his injury to shin splints in the forearm. He gets it every year, he said. That’s the bad news. The good news is that once it goes away it usally doesn’t return. … Right fielder Brad Hawpe will run today and expects to play tomorrow. Turns out Hawpe was on a similar program to Todd Helton and Jason Giambi. Yes, he had an ingrown toenail. But he’s easing into spring like those two to be ready for the season. More rest makes more sense for him. … Jason Giambi shaved his mustache. He was tired of the gray. … Pitcher Greg Reynolds’ right elbow is feeling better. But he hasn’t thrown since he was struck by a line drive during BP. He suffered a bone chip from the impact of the ball.

TUCSON — Tim Redding is all about his Irish heritage, from the Celtic cross tattoo on his chest to the shamrock tats behind both elbows.

So it was only appropriate that, when asked about Redding’s Cactus League debut, Rockies pitching coach Bob Apodaca smiled and said, “I’d say he’d love to have a Mulligan.’’

Redding didn’t fare all that badly, particularly since he had thrown live batting practice only twice before facing the Brewers Saturday at Hi Corbett Field. But he threw 30 pitches and only half went for strikes.

“I’ll take it, but I don’t know if I’m happy with it,’’ said Redding. “I wasn’t able to pound the zone as much as I’m accustomed to.’’

After allowing a run in two innings of work, Redding left no doubt that he expects to pitch better as spring wears on. And more important, he expects to be in the mix when the Rockies open thte season.

“I don’t think I have to show them anything,’’ said Redding, when asked if he felt he had to impress the staff in a hurry. “They brought me over here. They know what I can do. I’ve got veteran stability in the game. I’ve pitched against the Rockies enough to show the people in the dugout or the front office that I deserve to be in this clubhouse right now.

“Not to be cocky. Obviously I have to perform. I have to show them that I can execute.’’

Redding, who won 10 games for the Nationals in 2008, is in the running for a spot in the rotation that could be available if Jeff Francis struggles to regain his form after missing the entire 2009 season after labrum surgery. Another candidate is lefty Greg Smith, whose scoreless two-inning debut vs. the Angels was a reflection of the solid camp he’s having.

Then there’s darkhorse candidate Jhoulys Chacin, who made nine late-season appearances for the Major League club last year, but figures to open the season at Colorado Springs. Chacin induced six straight ground balls in his first inning of work vs. Milwaukee, which is generally is a good thing, given the Rockies’ air-tight infield defense. Trouble is, three went for hits in a three-run inning.

“I look at it two ways,’’ said Apodaca. “He got the ground balls, but I was still disappointed in the plane and height of his pitches. If those pitches are knees and below, it’s a different swing. But because it was the thigh area and above, they’re putting a very aggressive swing on it. And when you do that, you’re going to find a heck of a lot more holes.’’

One last pitching footnote: Right-hander Greg Reynolds, the second pick in the 2006 June draft, has officially dodged disaster. Reynolds was drilled in the right arm by a line drive last week, prompting him to be shut down for several days. The Rockies’ medical staff now is calling it a soft-tissue injury, and Reynolds is expected to pitch at some point in the Cactus League season.

TUCSON — A simple game of catch turned more complicated than the Rockies wanted Saturday.

Rafael Betancourt, who has been behind schedule in Tucson after falling ill in the weeks preceding spring training, played catch but shut things down early because of tightness in his right shoulder.

“I was able to throw the ball better than two days ago, but it’s still not right,” said Betancourt.

Betancourt was scheduled to meet with the Rockies’ medical staff later Saturday for what team officials are calling inflammation in the shoulder. Where Betancourt goes from here is anyone’s guess.

The coaching staff had hoped to get Betancourt nine innings of work in Tucson, but GM Dan O’Dowd said that number probably will be adjusted to five or six. But at the moment, Betancourt isn’t close to getting on the mound against opposing hitters.

“There’s nothing we can do about it,” said Rockies pitching coach Bob Apodaca. “He was basically right out of bed when he came down here, and you can’t rush the progress of getting an athlete in condition.’

“There’s no timetable. We go on his timetable. His body will tell him when he’s right.”

Betancourt wasn’t the only Rockies player with phsyical issues Saturday. Todd Helton was told to stay home because of flu-like symptoms.

TUCSON — Manager Jim Tracy began the strategic aligning of his rotation on a soggy Sunday at Hi Corbett Field, setting up the matchups for the first three Cactus League games. Ace Ubaldo Jimenez is not throwing Thursday’s first game or the split-squad against the Giants, a move designed to keep him in a line for opening day, while also avoiding giving San Francisco any additional looks at the right-hander. Jeff Francis will throw Friday against the Giants, instead, with pitching coach Bob Apodaca there to monitor his outing.

Jimenez is scheduled to work three innings, not the customary two, because “he’s farther along than anyone else in camp after pitching in winterball,” Tracy explained.

“You can just make an educated guess, and you’d probably be right,” Tracy said.

Jimenez, as I have written for a few weeks, will take the ball on opening day in Milwaukee. He went 15-12 with a 3.47 ERA last season. As catcher Miguel Olivo said today, “there’s no way he shouldn’t win 20 games.” Tracy loves Jimenez’s makeup. He talks about how the right-hander wants to be not only the best pitcher on his team and in the National League, but in the major leagues.

Footnotes
In talking about his rotation depth, Bob Apodaca brought up the Greg Smith. “Everything last year was such an effort. He had shoulder problems and was sick. It’s totally different this spring. You have catchers talking about the late life on his pitches.” … Rain poured down in Tucson, cutting short some of the Rockies’ conditioning this afternoon. Rain is forecast for tomorrow afternoon as well.

* I’ll miss dodging insults, verbal barbs and welt-lifting love taps from the bat of the irascible Todd Helton. Todd pretends he’s nothing but a Tennessee redneck, but he’s actually one of the smartest athletes I’ve ever known. He’s funny, too. Ask him for his take on Mini-Coopers sometime. (inside joke).

When all is said and done, Helton will stand as one of this state’s most celebrated athletes. As well he should. Please go out to Coors and watch him in person before he hangs up his gold glove for good.

* I’ll miss Aaron Cook, Jeff Francis, Ubaldo Jimenez, Brad Hawpe and almost all of the other Rockies. Most sports writers are cynics, with good reason. Pro athletes can be some of the biggest jerks on the planet. I should know, I covered the Broncos for years. But the Rockies are a dream team to cover. With a few exceptions, the Rockies are guys worth rooting for.

* I’ll miss Jim Tracy’s dugout chats. The man knows how to talk … and talk. But there is not an insincere bone in the man’s body. He loves baseball. He loves his players. He even loves most sports writers. Go figure.

* I’ll miss Bob Apodaca’s theories on pitching and baseball philosophy. We have to play golf sometime.

* I’ll miss Dan O’Dowd’s professionalism. It’s no secret the GM has had more than a few battles with The Post, but he always treated me well and always returned phone calls. Thanks.

* I’ll miss KOA’s Jack Corrigan. A true gentleman.

* I’ll miss going to the ballpark in the summertime. But I won’t miss games that end at 11:30 on a Saturday night in the bottom of the ninth with a deadline tightening around my neck like a noose. But a summer night at Coors Field is pretty close to heaven. I can still go. I can even have a beer. Now I just won’t get paid for watching baseball.

* I’ll miss all the Rockies’ PR staff. You guys were great and answered my quirky stat requests with a smile.

* The little boy in me will miss hanging out in the dugout, walking on the field and watching batting practice up close and personal.

I could go on and on and on.

So thanks Rockies, thanks baseball. You made me feel like a kid again. That’s priceless.

DENVER — The Rockies were thrilled with Jose Contreras’ impact last summer and intrigued by his future as a reliever. When he joined Colorado after a miserable season with the White Sox, Contreras found his way. He credited pitching coach Bob Apodaca for fixing his mechanics as his velocity jumped back to 95 miles per hour and his command improved. “I want to take him whenever I sign,” Contreras told me.

Wonder how Apodaca feels about Japan? In all seriousness, Apodaca isn’t going anywhere, but the odds of Contreras signing in Japan are increasing daily. The Softbank Hawks could have soon have an open spot if Justin Germano returns to the states, according to NPB Tracker. Contreras has been in Japan since Nov. 25, visiting schools for his son Kevin, who is hoping to participate in a baseball exchange program. He plans to be there until Dec. 7. The Rockies were expected to make a play for Contreras with Rafael Betancourt’s future uncertain. Betancourt has until Monday to accept the Rockies’ arbitration offer.

Contreras’s son Kevin, who is hoping to take part in an exchange program and play baseball at Fukuoka’s Yanagawa high school, is behind the prospective move to Japan.

DENVER — Aaron Cook is inching closer to active duty, but closer Huston Street is unlikely to pitch this weekend against the Padres, pitching coach Bob Apodaca conceded. Troy Tulowitzki and Ian Stewart have both improved, but neither is starting. The lineup is expected to be the same as in last night’s win.

Cook played catch today and will throw 10 pitches off the slope of the mound with catcher in front of the plate.
“I am getting better,” Cook said.

Street is making progress with his biceps injury, but Apodaca admitted that the idea that right-hander would throw against the Padres “was too optimistic.” Working in Street’s favor is that Franklin Morales hasn’t skipped a beat. He has converted five straight save opportunities.

“It absolutely allows us to (be more patient with Street),” Apodaca said.

Tulowitzki was clearly feeling much better. He said that he needs to be able to swing to return to the lineup. Ian Stewart also took cuts today and could play tomorrow. In fact, both could play tomorrow.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.